On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Senate version of the tobacco tax bill (SB420) which was recommended by an interim committee will be introduced. As the House version of the bill (HB2746), this bill calls for a 65 cent per pack increase in the excise tax on cigarettes and a raise from 7 percent of the wholesale price to 14 percent for all other tobacco products. This bill is sponsored by Senators Prezioso, Foster, Stollings, Kessler, Jenkins and McCabe.
Senators Roman Prezioso, Ron Stollings & Dan Foster
Senators Evan Jenkins, Jeffrey Kessler & Brooks McCabe
The proposed legislation will be single referenced to to Senate Finance Committee.
The tax legislation is part of a package of bills recommended by Select Committee D after a year-long study of health care in West Virginia. Passage of the tax is essential to funding other proposed pieces of this package.
More importantly, raising the tobacco excise tax in West Virginia will reduce the number of young people who begin using tobacco products and will serve as a huge incentive for current tobacco users to quit. Research shows an overall 4 percent reduction in tobacco use with every ten percent increase in the price of the product.
Supporters of this bill should contact Senate Finance Committee members by telephone or email urging their support of the tobacco tax legislation (SB420). It’s best to do both - place a phone call and a follow-up email.
Finance Committee Members:
Senator Helmick - Chair - (304) 357-7980
walt.helmick@wvsenate.gov
Senator McCabe - Vice-Chair - (304) 357-7990
brooks.mccabe@wvsenate.gov
Senator Bowman - (304) 357-7918
jason.wazelle@wvsenate.gov
Senator Chafin - (304) 357-7808
truman.chafin@wvsenate.gov
Senator Edgell - (304) 357-7827
larry.edgell@wvsenate.gov
Senator Facemire - (304) 357-7845
douglas.facemire@wvsenate.gov
Senator Fanning - (304) 357-7867
john.fanning@wvsenate.gov
Senator Green - (304) 357-7831
mike.green@wvsenate.gov
Senator Plymale - (304) 357-7937
robert.plymale@wvsenate.gov
Senator Prezioso - (304) 357-7961
roman.prezioso@wvsenate.gov
Senator Unger - (304) 357-7933
john.unger@wvsenate.gov
Senator Wells - (304) 357-7841
erik.wells@wvsenate.gov
Senator White - (304) 357-7906
randy.white@wvsenate.gov
Senator Boley - (304) 357-7905
donnaboley@suddenlink.net
Senator Facemyer - (304) 357-7855
karen.facemyer@wvsenate.gov
Senator Guills - (304) 357-7959
jesse.guills@wvsenate.gov
Senator Sypolt - (304) 357-7914
davesypolt@wvsenate.com
These members need to hear there is a large amount of grassroots support to provide this important legislation the momentum it will need to be considered.
Please make your phone call today - even if you do not personally reach your legislators leave them a message requesting that they support the tobacco tax bill (SB420).
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 am
I am in support of SB420. I encourage you to support this bill that will assist our children and families. Thank you.
Gina Ferrebee, LPN